LAS VEGAS – A diverse array of customized and high-performance cars, trucks and SUVs again dominates the General Motors display at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, but this time there is an underlying message: Green goes with mean.

Many of the 28 vehicles GM will bring to the annual convention of the automotive aftermarket performance and appearance industry either run on alternative fuels, such as E85 ethanol, or feature fuel-efficient performance without compromise. The lineup is headlined by an E85-powered Corvette Z06 owned by Jay Leno. The “Tonight Show” host’s new supercar boasts a custom, 500-cubic-inch engine that generates approximately 600 horsepower and is fueled solely by E85.

Another mean, green Chevy at SEMA is FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod, built by GM Performance Division – a re-creation of the hot rods that competed at early drag strips and land-speed venues of the late 1940s and 1950s. With bodywork inspired by a 1934 Chevy and period styling touches, FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod mixes vintage style with contemporary technology; it’s powered by a 500-horse FlexFuel version of the turbocharged Ecotec engine. It runs on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two.

In addition to the alternative-fueled performers in the display, GM will also use the SEMA platform to introduce some influential concepts and production models, including the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, which showcases a unique passenger compartment closeout evoking the spirit of vintage racecars, and a tuner-inspired version of the upcoming 2008 Saturn Astra. Chevy will make a couple of sport compact production announcements on Monday, Oct. 29, that will surely please the tuner crowd.

Celebrity endorsements will be in full force all over the SEMA show floor as three urban-inspired Enclaves customized by a trio of the industry’s most influential designers, including Rick Bottom, former NBA star Jerome Williams’ Automotive Street Style, and Mitek will be on display, along with a new Pontiac G8 GT built by rapper 50 Cent and Unique Autosports.

Additional concept and specialty vehicles in the display include:

Cadillac –Factory customized CTS Sport and Escalade Sport concepts show how sporty these new models can look with a few, carefully crafted styling and stance enhancements.

Chevrolet –In addition to the E85 ethanol-powered machines described above, Chevy is featuring a bevy of tricked-out trucks and custom cars, including:

GMC –The Yukon All-Terrain show vehicle follows in the tracks of last year’s Sierra All-Terrain concept and is designed to complement active lifestyles; and the Sierra HD Denali is a “what if” look at applying GMC’s most premium aesthetic to the Sierra 2500HD.

HUMMER –A pair of serious off-roaders is on hand, including the racing-inspired H3R and the adventure-seeking H2 Safari.

Pontiac –Along with the Solstice SD-290, Pontiac will feature two new G8 performance sedans, including a slightly enhanced version of the G8 GT production model and a completely customized G8 GT from 50 Cent and Unique Autosports (viewed in the Pirelli Tires display).

Saturn –Marking the introduction of the all-new Astra sport-compact, Saturn shows off a tuner-inspired example that uses subtle exterior and chassis mods, as well as unique wheels, to give the car a street-wise stance.

GM Accessories and GM Performance Parts

In addition to the concept vehicles at the GM display, General Motors introduces products and initiatives that will surely influence enthusiast projects of the near future, including a collaboration with DUB to develop a variety of appearance and performance components.

GM Performance Parts (GMPP) teamed up with GM Performance Division to give the most famous 1957 Chevy magazine car of all time – Popular Hot Rodding’s Project X – its ultimate “rectification.”

GMPP also introduces a bevy of high-performance engines and engine support components, led by the Anniversary 427 crate engine – a limited-edition, all-aluminum big-block based on the legendary ZL-1 engine. It is completed by the ZZ427, a regular-production crate engine that features most of the same high-performance attributes of the Anniversary 427, but with an iron cylinder block.

Also new from GMPP is an LS3 crate engine, tall-deck LSX cylinder block and a trio of “LS” engine controller kits that make engine integration easy.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

There are plenty that would argue that. Still, your point is made. I would guess HHR & Cobalt turbo models.

True. Well GM is trying to keep the brands "seperate". I the HHR turbo was already released in the heritage motor show, that is why I do not think it is a new announcement, unless it is said to be new for tuner folks.

The Turbo Cobalt coupe is a complete gimme . THe HHR SS has already made its public debut and production announcement at Woodward . Maybe just maybe might it have finally dawned on GM a 4-door SS Turbo would likely be a runaway success .

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

The Turbo Cobalt coupe is a complete gimme . THe HHR SS has already made its public debut and production announcement at Woodward . Maybe just maybe might it have finally dawned on GM a 4-door SS Turbo would likely be a runaway success .

I really really really really hope it has a 6-speed manual and xenon or at the very least projector lights.

In a more realistic world, I'd be happy with better seats (Recaros or something like the HHR SS) and a new handbrake design and a no wing option from the factory.

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who wishes the factory Cobalt SS/SC wing were a delete option. They could kill 3 birds with one stone that way... let the customer leave it off completely (my choice), let the customer put their own aftermarket wing on (ew), or choose the factory wing (again, ew.)

Okay GM, either make the damn accessories available or stop dangling the carrot in front of the horse. Enough with all of this teasing since the non-HD Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Big Red" made it's debut a year ago with no promise by GM to make it available to the consumer.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who wishes the factory Cobalt SS/SC wing were a delete option. They could kill 3 birds with one stone that way... let the customer leave it off completely (my choice), let the customer put their own aftermarket wing on (ew), or choose the factory wing (again, ew.)

When the SS/SC was in production there was an option for spoiler delete and also for the low profile spoiler. I work at a Chevy Buick store near Chicago and we sold many of them either without the wing or with the low profile spoiler and the car looks so much better

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

When the SS/SC was in production there was an option for spoiler delete and also for the low profile spoiler. I work at a Chevy Buick store near Chicago and we sold many of them either without the wing or with the low profile spoiler and the car looks so much better

That's interesting.

I've only ever witnessed one without the spoiler and it looked excellent. I could tell where the person had actually removed the spoiler themselves though.

I've always wanted one with an F4 generation RS-esque spoiler. I think that would look good because it would be subtle, yet the car wouldn't seem like it was missing something. (That's whay I hate cars like the tuner Acuras and new Lexi sport models... They have all of the ground effects (Some gawdy) yet the top of the car look untouched and half assed (like those Civics you always see in the trailer parks with primer panels on them, LOL)

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

When the SS/SC was in production there was an option for spoiler delete and also for the low profile spoiler. I work at a Chevy Buick store near Chicago and we sold many of them either without the wing or with the low profile spoiler and the car looks so much better

Not true, the car came in 05 and 06 with only the big spoiler and then in 07, there was the option of having the lower profile spoiler. There was never a factory wing delete...

When the Order Guides were put up, several of us here scoured the list, looking for a "wing delete" code, but were unsuccessful. Asowder, sir (or madam), could you kindly post the option code for "wing delete"?

Ahhh... that looks so low, sexy, strong, and sweet without that ridiculous wing visually pulling the car off the ground. The factory ground effects pull it down nicely. Love it! But, ahem... is it my imagination, or is there something on the back of your car in your sig picture?

Mr. Sandwich, you do know that there was an option package with Recaro seats and limited slip differential for the SS/SC, right?